Guitarist Rotem Sivan teams up with Hamish Smith/b, Miguel Russell/dr, Sami Stevens/voc and Luke Krafka/whistle for a mix of creative originals and stylized standards. Of the latter, his acostic strings caress a gentle read of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” while he…
Author: George W. Harris
Skip Wilkins Trio: In Morava Na Morave
Pianist Skip Wilkins has his compositions interpreted by his Czech team of Josef Feco/b and Tomas Hobzek/dr along with guest Rostislav Fras/ts for a few tracks. In quartet mode, the team is dainty with Fras fluffy on the two takes…
Marcus Rezak: Guitar Head
Guitarist and singer Marcus Rezak teams up with Adriam Tramontano/dr, Chris DeAngelis/b, Ray Paczkowski/org and Eric Lawrence/horns for a mix of blues rockers that swing. There’s a feel of boogie groups like Black Oak ARkanss on pieces like “Sweet Like…
FREE VIBES…Sergio Armaroli: Density For Solo Vibraphone(s), Sergio Armaroli-Giancarlo Schiafini-Hari Sjostrom: More Duos and Trios
One of the few labels that still has an identifiable sound, Leo Record brings form the free vibes of Sergio Armaroli in two settings. The first is a trio of solo vibe performances, a three part “Density” suite lasting 43…
LADY TROUBADOURS…Anandi: A Better Way, Sofia Rubina: I Am Soul
Singer/songwriter Anandi sing and plays guitar alongside Greg Goebel, who plays just about everything else on this modern collection of minstrel tunes. The heartfelt messages range froum an earnest “Mandela” with warm keyboards to a thoughtful “A Better Way” with…
Giorgi Mikadze Trio: Face to Face Volume 1
Pianist Giorgi Mikadze leads a creative and unified trio with Francois Moutin/b and Raphael Pannier/dr through some well crafted originals on this release. You hear a dash of influences like Evans her and Cedar Walton there, but he’s really got…
Tony Allen/Jeane Carne/Henry Franklin/Lonnie Liston Smith etc: Jazz Is Dead Remixes 20
Yes, 20 releases from Adreian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad have mixed originals and samples from jazz classics, with a lean towards modern urban R&B and hip hop. Thick tropical sounds and synthetic percussion prevail as on “Jean Carne’s Black…
The 8-Bit Big Band: Game Changer
Vegas charts are in full force on this big band album conduced and arranged by Charlie Rosen, with a rotating team of vocalists. Joel Waggoner hits the lounge on “Can You Feel The Sunshine?” while Clyde and Gracie Lawrence dig…
Tony Adamo: Soul Glide
“Soul Glide” is the single from Tony Adamo’s upcoming album of the same name, and by the sound of it, you might not need your ears as much as dancing shoes to appreciate. Adamo delivers lyrics in a style that…
Diane Roblin & Life Force: Breath of Fresh Air ERNESTO
Pianist and keyboardist Diane Roblin brings together George Koller/b, Tim Shia/dr, Kevin Turcotte/tp-fh, Jeff Larochelle/ts-bcl and John Johnson/ss-as for a soulful collection of originals. The feel is that of those vintage CTI releases from the 1970s, with a rich mix…